The FDC-Crisis Continues: Najjanankumbi detach itself from Katonga completely…

““FDC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECALLED THE RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE PEOPLES GOVERNMENT. After a period of reflection and thorough internal discussions, the FDC National Executive Committee reached a consensus to recall the resolution that established the Peoples Government. With immediate effect, therefore the FDC will no longer participate in any activities associated with the Peoples Government. This may only resume when the conflict between the two is resolved. This severing of relations comes after a series of challenges that the FDC has faced managing two centers of power which have conflicted since 2018 leading to a total misunderstanding immediately before, during and after the 2021 general elections” (FDC, 30.10.2023).

Today was the final day for the current leadership of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and their allegiance to some of their founders and leaders. They have now decided to leave them behind and finalized a break-up. While promising much more.

The leaders from within and who conspired to do this is Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, as well as others who has complied and accepted to partake in this quagmire. The FDC as we know it is now gone. The principals and the ideals of the party has been sold on a altar and these gentlemen danced at the wake.

The FDC leadership continues:

Our party has experienced internal conflicts, accompanied by allegations and counter-accusations that have contributed to considerable turmoil within our ranks with resultant negative publicity in the media. Regrettably, some members of the FDC have chosen to adopt a hostile stance against their own party in complete contravention of Article 12 of the party constitution. They have for example continued to posture as the legitimate leaders of the party which matter was settled at the 6th October National Delegates Conference with the election of new leaders. They continue to issue illegal notices using FDC headed paper, use party symbols, slogans and colors and continue to brand themselves as such; and have also abused party documents during unauthorized meetings. The Party is now prepared to take disciplinary action through a well constituted Committee on Discipline against these errant members and we strongly urge them to cease presenting themselves as FDC leaders. We also call on our members to shun these individuals who chose to masquerade as ‘interim’ or factional leaders in order to cause a split in the party for their own selfish interests” (FDC, 30.10.2023).

We can see how POA and the FDC Najjanankumbi fraction is spinning it. It is so obvious, as they are acting supreme and the legitimate ones. While they never took any accountability and only threw stones at the other fraction. The FDC never resolved the matter and the ones in-charge now has practically hijacked it on their own accord. So, it is rich reading this text and knowing how it transpired. These men don’t lack courage to boldly say it and publish it. Because, they don’t mind the outcome or what they have become by doing it.

To further it’s case…

We want to emphasize that there are no factions within the FDC, contrary to how it has been portrayed in the media. Claims of a “Katonga faction” or a “Najjanankumbi faction” are entirely unfounded. There is only one FDC, and it is crucial that the media immediately cease perpetuating these misrepresentations. However, in keeping with the Guiding Principle in the party constitution Chapter 8(e) that relates to peaceful resolution of conflict we continue to extend an olive branch to the FDC members “out there”. This however applies to only those holding corporate or life membership cards and those who are up to date with their membership. For those whose membership expires every year and have not renewed it by registering in their village registers they can only be supporters and sympathizers and not members and accordingly are at liberty to decide whether they want to regain membership of the party or not. For now, we implore all of them to stop masquerading as FDC leaders” (FDC, 30.10.2023).

If they are thinking this is wise… well… it is not and this is a strategic blunder. As they are no disfranchising plenty of members and the ones who sought “shelter” at Katonga or People’s Government. They are the ones that even brought POA into power and he betrayed them. Now he has finalized it and now he speaks ill of them. Trying to downplay them and making it illegitimate. While he sits on a throne of lies… maybe bare-naked, but most likely bare-foot like he was during his campaign in 2021.

This part ends with:

We wish to clarify that during the Delegates Conference held on October 6th, 2023, a new National Executive Committee was democratically elected and sworn in. The conference also took a number of key decisions including extending the life of the Electoral Commission by six months and replacing the Hon. Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda with Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi whom we congratulate, as the FDC whip in Parliament. The FDC remains committed to its mission and values, and we believe that these decisions are essential to restore unity and cohesion within our party” (FDC, 30.10.2023).

When you want to talk rubbish. This part is over the moon. The stars are aligned and the whole picture is just blossoming. The colours are all there and the flavours of heaven is at your fingertips. However, the reality is much more grim and dark. These aren’t fact or real. If it where… there wouldn’t be this stand-off, which the current leadership never wanted to resolve. They rather wanted it to die out and be forgotten about. However, by their recent action. These people are just proving how they are in the wrong. That’s why they have targeted Besigye and his associates, because they know what they did…

That was just one part of the FDC Press Release today, but I want to end with this one, which was particularly interesting considering everything:

As you are aware the FDC has a new leadership and the new leadership has a big task ahead to give the party a face lift and to enable us to regain our glory in the political landscape of this country. As the new team, we mean business from the very start of our 5 year tenure and we will soon be heading out to the field We urge all our members to prepare for an extensive plan aimed at strengthening the party’s infrastructure nationwide, which includes the redevelopment of the ‘Blue House’ which remains pending from the previous term” (FDC, 30.10.2023).

I hate to be that guy, but by detaching yourself from Besigye and his associates, you are practicality never able to regain old glory. He is one of the reasons why the party had any glory and was built up the way it is. It is his character and message that brought people under the banner. He and others who has also left like Muntu. However, POA and Mafabi can try… but they have burnt plenty of bridges and there will be less goodwill now. Especially, we now know how they operate from within. So who wants to trust them from the outside looking in?

This FDC is broken and in self-destruction mode. It isn’t one you can trust and the leaders are to blame. They should have known better, but apparently the shillings was to juicy to say “no”. Peace.

Opinion: The Republic is building Ghost Dams…

“What we found was that some of the dams that are being talked about are not even existing, for example Paylong dam which is supposed to help the community of Kotido isn’t even existing. What we saw at the site of Pylong is some pond with weeds grown all over the place and I think that one was constructed by the Ministry of Water. There is also one in Abim district that one isn’t functional at all and I think the work wasn’t completed and those facilities were never handed over to the district” – Janet Okori-Moe, Chairperson Agriculture Committee (27.10.2023).

MPs on Parliament’s Agriculture Committee have discovered ghost irrigation dams and valley tanks in Karamoja and Teso sub-regions, despite Government releasing billions of shillings for the construction of these dams in order to foster agriculture in the two regions” (Parliament Watch, 27.10.2023).

For over a decade I have heard of ghosts. These was “ghost” teachers, civil servants and sometimes even whole “ghost” schools. There been mentioned of “ghost” projects and others too. Where development was paid out and nothing was delivered. In just having additional budget posts or juicing up the stats to “cover a shortfall”. No, it is a deliberate act to siphon funds.

Today it was revealed yet another trick. The Republic is now building ghost dams. The Women Representative of Abim, Janet Okori-Moe MP says so. She knows her district and was re-elected on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket in 2021. This is her second term as a legislator and MP. Certainly, she would know and it’s a compellign story.

This is a systemic problem and manufactured by the inner-circle. Because, the system is creating these ghosts. Both on local levels and on national ones. Where Ministries and others are benefiting. They create these out of thin air and pockets the funds. Because, no one is paid to work, build or make it operational. No, it is just smoke and mirrors. There is nothing to it and the money is paid in full. The funds are allocated and dispersed. While the end-product is non-existing.

Just imagine billions of shillings are paid out and nothing in return. That means someone is eating and having a blast. These funds are spend, but not on the dams or the valley tanks. These projects or development projects was meant for the public good. They were meant to help the people of Abim, Kotido and Karamoja, but they never got to see it.

This is thieving from the ones who has none. Blatant and disgraceful. They get called “ghosts” and made up cute. However, this here is theft and stealing funds from the public coffers. The funds which had an intended purpose, but got spent elsewhere. They just went “missing” and the proverb of “missing funds” is viable in the Republic.

Just as there is missing funds, there are ghosts and these are connected to one principal. That there are money to take and gullible people who will not care if they loose out. The takers take and they are the spenders. Money is taken and used on other things. While the budgets and the Ministry had promised one thing. Suddenly, a need elsewhere appeared and the “ghosts” was created.

They can try to spin-it or make up stories. The fact is that billions of shillings was eaten. Some one within the inner-circle and close ties to power got a pay-day. They used the “ghosts” to fill a void and get paid. That’s just how the day goes and this was a heist. A heist happening in broad daylight and nobody really saw. It was done in the offices and within the elites. Those was the ones benefiting and having a blast.

While the up-country people never got see anything. Peace.

Opinion: The “drones” haunts the chambers of Parliament…

There is no amount of legislation that can atone for murders and disappearances, whether we are able to legislate and pass a bill on a daily basis, while the targeted beneficiaries of these legislations are being abused by Government and some of them are killed, then we are legislating in a void and we can never claim to be serious legislators” (…) “Lawmaking and legislation must be consequential and we can’t engage in inconsequential actions as legislators from the opposition, therefore, I want to assure Ugandans that these demands are legitimate and they constitute a top priority for us as the Opposition” – Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga (26.10.2023).

As the National Resistance Movement or the Government of Uganda wants the world to believe. That nothing shady or murky is going on. That the opposition is only making up fictional tales and has records of missing persons, but they are never revealed or re-appearing. There are unknown amount of people associated with the opposition that is kept incommunicado or without trial as political prisoners.

The “drones” or “panda gari’s” comes in the shadows and without warrants. The security agents just picks up people and take them away to unknown destinations. While family and friends has no clus for why. They are partaking in politics and activism, and that’s the sole reason for their demise. This is the state and how the authorities operates. People are gone for years without proper court cases, put in trial sometimes by court martial and some left in the dungeons (“safe-houses”). That is a well known “secret” and ungazetted ones are there too.

The security agencies are operating in the shadows and are happy to oblige to orders. Heck, reports are that high ranking officials that is offended or displeased with citizens has paid of agents to kidnap and silence critics. That’s how the system works now and the law enforcement is happy to do the dirty work.

Therefore, the words of Mpuuga is needed to be said. The boycott was necessary, but calling it off before anything substantial was done by the NRM is futile. The Deputy Speaker gave Gen. David Muhoozi a month to come and address the Parliament again. Meaning the Minister and General can ease off and have bought him time. In such time that people forget this and hope another scandal arrives. While the political prisoners continues to linger in prisons or dungeons like they currently do.

The LoP is in between a rock and a hard place. He has little to no space to manoeuvre, as the minority and it has little consequences what he does. That’s why the government spokesperson and others call it drama. I understand that… when they are so softly returning to the plenary and the boycott called off so quickly. The leader of the opposition could at least tried a bit longer and piled on the pressure.

Yes, his statements and addresses in parliament is fine. However, the NRM, the authorities and the “high above” won’t care. They will continue like yesterday and the yesteryears. There is no reason for them to stop. This system is functioning and the ones suffering is the dissidents. The elite and the ones eating don’t mind. They are not seeing the price and the sacrifices. These are only enjoying the perks and privileges of being on “top”. So, why should they bother about the dark side?

Well… Mpuuga is in a battle he cannot win. The NUP and the other opposition parties is in the same realm. The authorities and the NRM can just play around and continue with their persistent impunity and injustice. That’s what they do and that’s what keep the regime alive. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): NUP Institutions – Press Release (26.10.2023)

Opinion: Aber MP better pray that the next victor is forgiving…

If I were the parents of these missing people, I would take them(opposition) to court. They are the ones who mobilized these people to go where they claim they were arrested. I know when one is missing, you report the case to the police. The government is committed to finding these people wherever they are” – Lillian Aber MP (24.10.2023).

The Woman Representative for Kitgum District and the National Vice Chairperson of the MK Movement for Northern Uganda spoke earlier today on NBS Television, Honourable Lillian Aber to be exact.

Just reading the wording from the NBS was infuriating and insulting to say the least. The woman has some nerves and her entitlement is outrageous. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP should show some grace and humility, but that’s too much to ask. They are living like there is no tomorrow and no one is inheriting the earth after it.

She has enrolled and is part of the NRM Way. That is obvious and she speaks like one of them. Not like she has a legislative record to speak of or any sort of proof of value in the 11th Parliament. However, she’s a useful pawn for the First Son and his plans to become the successor. Just like he picks and appoint someone from within on the regular. Aber MP is just one of them and within the future of Gen. Muhoozi. That’s it and that’s why she can act like this…

Because, she better pray and hope the next victor will be kind, soft and be cordial. Not be a person of vengeance or retribution. Neither be a leader who wants to make examples of and use the same means to stifle the predecessor. Because, if that happens and if they want to do scorched earth. Than the NRM and the ones high ranking officials will be burned. They will be touched and feel the suffering that the opposition and dissidents are feeling now. These people will be torn apart and left astray, be incommunicado and kept in secret by the authorities. People of the NRM taken in drones and even Court Martial as civilians. Having pending cases for years on end and never see the courts. Just being state property and nothing ever happens. Except more injustice and more people scorn by the ruling elite.

The ruling elite Aber MP is a part of. She is one of the anointed ones and kept in high regard. That’s why Gen. Muhoozi has chosen her too. He wouldn’t have… if he didn’t see her value and that she could bring something to the table. Be of use and be a part of his journey. That’s why she’s there and her arrogance is staggering.

Aber MP better hope and pray that Muhoozi is her saviour and that’s his able to keep the nation under an iron fist. She better hope that Muhoozi has the capacity and the ability to forge himself into the State House and rule as vicious tyrant. Because, he cannot run on love or true admiration. Why would people admire him and his terror? Except if you want to terrorize civilians and take away their freedom. Then I understand why you celebrate and thinks highly of the man. However, that isn’t how you will a popularity contest or the polls by honest means.

No, the MP knows all of this, but still spends time speaking recklessly and without a heart. Not thinking about the people suffering, the ones who is missing their loved ones and some who might never see them again. People who are political prisoners and prisoners of consciences. These are the ones who are hurt and who has lost their rights. The state don’t mind their pain or suffering. The plights of them and the ones surrounding them. It is how the system and the authorities are treating them.

Certainly, Aber MP better hope the next victor is grand and have a huge heart. Has compassion and deep understanding of the despair and need for honest rule of law. Because, at this time and with these rulers, there are little to none for plenty. A law that is misused and held often in contempt too. Therefore, she should be careful…

None of us know tomorrow and we don’t know who will be next King. Peace.

Opinion: U.S. Business Advisory warns about investing in Mzee’s regime

The Departments of State, Labor, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, today issued a Business Advisory on Uganda. The Advisory informs U.S. businesses, individuals, and other U.S. persons, including health services providers, members of academic institutions, and investors, of potential risks they may face if they are conducting, or contemplating to conduct, business in Uganda. Businesses, organizations, and individuals should be aware of potential financial and reputational risks resulting from endemic corruption, described in more detail in the 2023 Investment Climate Statement, as well as violence against human rights activists, media members, health workers, members of minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and political opponents described in the 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Uganda. Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) on May 29, 2023, further increases restrictions on human rights, to include restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and exacerbates issues regarding the respect for leases and employment contracts” (U.S. Department of State – ‘U.S. Government Issues a Business Advisory for Uganda’ 23.10.2023).

A man that is steadily promoting value addition and financial integration. The President of Uganda is failing the nation. It is going backwards and not forwards. Not in any sense and now with the latest news. The investors and other on the financial markets will shun the nation even further. This will hurt the economy and make it even less viable.

The Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) can dry up from certain parts of the world. Just like the lack of foreign donors and donor funds to cover the shortfall in the national budgets. The domestic revenue and lack of investors might some come too. As other nations will follow the United States of America (USA) and these are the ones that comes with funds. Meaning this can be a big blow to the President and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The U.S. authorities are late on this one, but better late than never. This is going after the pockets and advice people to spend their monies elsewhere. That’s a blow for someone who has been working on reviving an economy since 1986. The President who speaks of exports and getting products to market. Now the market won’t come to him and the ones who has the ability to purchase are asked to shun it. Meaning there will be less tangible investments and others will follow.

The NRM and the Government of Uganda should see the writing on the wall. This is continuing to damage the economy. It is continuing where the World Bank suspended funding and this will also take away the food from the plate. There will be less funds and less people will have a chance to eat.

We could see this one coming when the state and the legislators decided to target one minority on the behalf of everyone. That’s one of the main reasons, but there are certainly other aspects which is also mentioned in the text. Showing that the human rights violations and impunity has a price.

This here will hurt the pride and prestige of the President. He knows this will spark a wildfire and he cannot contain it. The World Bank didn’t seem to significant and he hoped someone else would cover the shortfall of funds. However, now… there is becoming less viable and sooner or later other reactions will come too. By that time… it’s to late and the crippling economy is upon the nation. A nation that has been run on deficit financing and now the options for fiscal stimulus or outside revenue is dwindling. People will follow this advisory and other nations will follow the U.S. line of action.

This here is tragic for the shilling and the ones who depend on FDI. Because, the message is spread and this will haunt the 11th Parliament, State House and everyone else involved. They could see this one coming, but I am sure they just looked the other way. Peace.

Opinion: There are no more road for Mpuuga…

The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has given a one month timeline to the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, to respond to the demands by the Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, over the alleged unabated human rights abuses and the shrinking civic space. The directive follows a statement by Mpuuga, who demanded accountability of the alleged murder of 22 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the campaign trail of the party president in 2021and justice for 18 persons who have been missing for close to four years now” (Capital FM Uganda, 20.10.2023)

The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga came in the Plenary Session with a plan and 7 demands to the Government. It wasn’t an ordinary quest or even ask. No this was directly challenging the government heads on about their “drones”, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, arrests without charges or trials, court martial of civilians and keeping people incommunicado. While also addressing the murders and extra judicial killings done by security officers on orders of the state. That was all done yesterday by the LoP.

Some are saying his too late and should have done this earlier. Yes, the LoP could have pushed for several of these things earlier. There is no doubt that he could, but a seasoned politician like him knows there is a time and purpose. Now it is the middle of a term and not in the beginning. Secondly, the 11th Parliament haven’t been friendly or been a place safe-haven for anyone. Therefore, it was wise of him to wait. We are already seeing how easily the Deputy Speaker can suspend people without giving reasons or why he could revoke a rule doing so.

We know that Gen. David Muhoozi and the rest of the authorities doesn’t want to shed lights on their operations. That is well known and isn’t a well kept secret. The state has blocked, arrested and stopped any lawmaker trying to find a “safe-house” or alleged “safe-houses” in the past. While Nalufenya and other entities are known for their brutalization of “inmates” or “detainees”.

Mpuuga can pressure the General and the Minister, but he won’t get far. The Deputy Speaker has given the man a month to present his “findings”… well… I don’t expect much and neither should the LoP. That isn’t in the interests of the state or the high above. This is how he operates and how he contains dissidents. That’s why he cannot stop the pain, plights and the suffering of the ones defying him. They have to pay a price, because if they can collectively put pressure on the state. It might lose control and lose power. The President and his inner circle could never ever risk that. This is why they continue with it and never ceases their injustice towards a certain part of society.

The LoP knows this too. Everyone does and no one is shocked in 2023. The system is created like this and the authorities can on one order take a person in without any investigation. Just because of who they align with or if they have even infuriated a high ranking official. That is all it takes… and it just tiring.

It is endless agony and hard to believe they can get away with it. Neither is it sophisticated or wise. They are just continuing the path of self-destruct and endless betrayal of the ideals of the bush-war. That’s what they are up too and they have become as vicious or more than the ones the NRA overthrow. They have even had a few decades to perfect the impunity and knows how to do it in the dark. This is the NRM way and they are proud of it too. It is an achievement and they can statistically show how much work they have done.

Mpuuga is at the end of the road. There is no more road for him. No matter what happen. He has no leverage or no cause of action within the chambers of the August House. The demands if they are not met. He is losing. The LoP is lost… and will most likely loose big. There is nothing to gain here. He gets a headline and some few signs of goodwill. However, the endgame is as brutal as the authorities themselves. There is nothing for them to earn to be transparent or accountable. That would show their crimes and illicit activities, which are done for a purpose. The LoP and others are not supposed to speak of these matters. That is just a chosen few and these are connected to the high above.

Let us not kid ourselves. We know the gist… and the ones suffering will either never return or come back as damaged goods. There is nothing hopeful and nothing sustainable about this. Only more pain and suffering, while the ones actually doing the bid or doing the time will never be heard. Peace.

Opinion: The Opposition got nowhere to hide in the 11th Parliament…

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, has suspended 5 opposition MPs from attending plenary sittings for the next 3 days. The MPs are; Betty Nambooze (Mukono), Joyce Bagala (Mityana DWR), Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East), Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South), and Francis Zaake (Mityana)” (93.3 KFM Radio, 17.10.2023).

The Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa is just proving the Republic one thing. That they are on a vengeance and wants to prove a point. Not that they want to govern, do government business or further legislation. No, they want to prove to their master that their was worthy of their appointed offices.

This they are doing by displaying ignorance, reflecting badly of the August House and making a mockery of proceedings. In such a fashion that defiance and resistance is the only way out. Not being humble and follow protocol, because that gets you nowhere…

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker don’t mind controversy. No that sells and gives them credit where it matters. These two are only playing for the gallery and hoping the State House listening in. As they are using force and sticking it to the opposition. Just playing around with them and keeping them preoccupied with nonsense.

That’s all they are doing and the 11th Parliament is shoddy for it. The 11th Parliament is practically a place for begging the President for help and getting his guidance. While they are awaiting his judgement and his verdict on any matter. They are awaiting a NRM Caucus at the State House to direct them and tell them what to do. The rest is just well prepared and acknowledge the will of the Master. That’s all there is too it… and it isn’t even funny.

The strangest thing is how the Deputy Speaker just invoked the suspension and with no protocol. No reasoning in Parliament and just all of a sudden. That is unprecedented and shows the way they want to intimidate and silence critics. There is no sublime messaging here. The ones picked is for a reason and they are vocal MPs. They didn’t pick some silent back-bencher that could be swayed in the way of the yellow. No, they picked the renegades and the ones daring to question the government. That’s who the Deputy did this too and it just shows…

It just shows what matters to this government and its high ranking officials. They just want to want in silence and not be addressed properly. Neither does it want any pushback or questioning. Because shredding real light on subjects can cause havoc. Showing a video of evidence of how the state brutally kidnaps citizens was blocked. That’s because the regime doesn’t want to get exposed or address the matter. No, it wants silence and doesn’t want hear any of it.

The Deputy is just serving his purpose and trying to show loyalty to the cause. Not the cause of respecting or using his office for good. No, his using the office for personal gains and wants to be in a favourable position next time it comes up. That’s why he acts like this and is so partisan in the way he uses his role.

If we ever thought the 10th Parliament was a quagmire, the 11th Parliament is even worse. It won’t be better ever either. That doesn’t serve the President and his will. He need people vouching for his bills, budgets and expenditure. The President doesn’t mind the Speakers getting dirty tricks to outsmart someone else. However, in the long term… the trust and lack thereof is only growing.

The Deputy Speaker is only showing us why we cannot trust him or his ways. Because, his just a pawn and it’s a big fall from grace. Peace.

Opinion: It’s shameful to steal the spotlight from Mzee…

“By holding parallel independence day celebrations in Kamwokya, NUP had sinister plans to sabotage the main event and ashame the president H.E Yoweri Museveni. As police, we couldn’t allow that,”~state Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi” (Ekyooto, 17.10.2023).

We have been saying for years that there is limited freedom in the Republic. Now the General and State Minister for Internal Affairs is saying why. We know the President, His Excellency and the “high above” is a shallow man. A man who doesn’t like to share or have people questioning his moves. He prefers being in the right and let anyone else suffer if he must.

Today the Minister and General revealed what we already knew. That the National Resistance Movement and the President cannot handle a parallel celebration. This is why there is only one “official” one where the President and dignitaries presides over. They can bash in glory and others will be blocked to oblivion.

As a result of their proclaimed aims and likely consequences, security intervened and disrupted their intended illegal activities. consequently, 14 of the leaders were arrested, detained at Kira Road Police station and charged and later in the day released on Police bond the same day” (David Muhoozi, 17.10.2023).

If you ever wondered why there is no UHURU in the Republic. It is because of this. The National Unity Platform had planned a prayer. A prayer for the families and for the loved ones who detained or kidnapped by the authorities on their bounds of their political conscience. That’s what the NUP was planning and that was the “disruptive” means of the opposition. To pray in their headquarters and call for the liberty of the political prisoners in the Republic. That was the deemed “illegal activities” of the OPPOSITION.

It just shows how concerned the authorities are about the opposition. They fear their prayers and their gatherings. In such a manner, that they are not only blocked but pre-emptively arrested too. That’s what they are doing and they are proud of it too. They know they feel no consequences and the President will be proud of their achievements. Because they ensured there was only one place in the nation where there was a celebration for the liberation of the Republic.

Only where the President serves and tells tales of glory is where the Republic can celebrate. The rest is in invisible shackles and cannot free themselves of it. If they try or do… the drones, the police officers and the law enforcement will come knocking. That’s what we see and this is what they do.

This is the freedom that Museveni and the NRM has to offer. It isn’t much and nothing to be proud of. They are afraid to make the President ashamed and by doing so. They are shamefully aware of their brutal dishonesty and lack of tolerance of others. This are the credentials of the state and how it operates.

This is the NRM Way. Peace.

A look into Museveni’s 61st Independence Day Speech

To be frank and honest, it is depressing. To assess yet another speech by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. A man who has been in office since 26th January 1986. It feels like forever and it is. The repeated sloganeering and usage of rhetoric goes old on a man. Just like the old age on Museveni who needs caine now or a staff as shown in pictures from Kitgum and Boma Grounds today.

I won’t dwell to much on the speech actually, because its a repetitive narrative and stories, which are only made to make himself and his administration look good. There are just as much a man can take and seldom has I felt so fatigued. It is just like the man will never stop and has no idea of when to retire. His just showing it and endlessly will take power and reign until his final breath. That’s why I am sure plenty didn’t listen to it or even care that it was forced on their radios. Because, why should they?

He has said the same-old same-old, again and again. There is no new knowledge or insights that will change their lives. There isn’t a formula or a trick in the speech that haven’t really been mentioned by him before. No, he continues to use scripture and act holier than thou. Even though he mercilessly abduct, detain and kills his opposition. Therefore, his faith is hallow and used as a shield for his autocratic behaviour.

Like it is hard to believe him when he says things like this: “The ideology of patriotism and Pan-Africanism, also promotes harmony among the People. That is why we no longer have a refugee problem while by 1986, Uganda was among the 4 top – Countries in the World, in Refugees’ generation. 500,000 Ugandans (mainly peasants) and a large group of exiles (mainly the elite) in the USA, UK, Sweden, Kenya, South Africa, etc. There were so many Ugandan doctors that had fled and working abroad. All the Refugees came back and the Ugandans who are still outside, are there voluntarily. The ideology of emphasizing interests rather than opportunistically manipulating identity, has, therefore, created more opportunity for prosperity, created stability and created capable institutions of State. It is one of the necessary ingredients for success” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).

It’s like we don’t know about people fleeing into exile and fearing prosecution or torture by his authorities. We know this and not all have left the nation voluntarily. That’s yet another lie and maybe not as high as under previous administrations, but certainly a brain-drain that has hit the economy and possible educated fields over time. Which means the lack of progress and development is hurting the republic long-term. That’s the “Unity” that he has created and certainly shows how he tries to portray himself in a perfect light. Even when its grim and dark.

Later in the speech his trying to act clever: “Ugandans, should not waste time worrying about aid, loans, etc. We do not need most of these loans. We happily work with all the Countries in the World that respect our Sovereignty. That is how the UN system should operate. No Country should interfere in the internal affairs of another Country. That is why we separate “Foreign” Affairs from “Internal” Affairs. Why should anybody catapult his values, through foreign affairs, into the internal affairs of another country? Human needs are similar – food, shelter, clothing, mobility, poverty, etc. However, their management evolves differently and at different speeds in the different Countries. It is wrong to try to export systems and values or to export Revolution (new ideas) or counter-revolution (old ideas)” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).

This is an retort to the World Bank ceasing funds after the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was enacted this year. That in retaliation to that, the World Bank stopped funding and wouldn’t continue certain development funds. Meaning that the state would have to find other sources for fiscal funds for these or cease operating on them. That has hurt the state coffers and the planned efforts of the state. That’s why the President is so salty, because he feels the ramifications now and his government needs the funding. This is why sovereignty in his regard is important, but not that the World Bank is it’s own sovereign and work after their own mandate themselves. They have to responsible for their donors and the ones who forks out the money that Uganda was supposed to spend. Therefore, the principals in both aspects are fine, but Museveni wants it his way and not the other way around. No one is surprised by that in 2023 and if you are that, well… it was about time that you found out.

In the end of the speech he says: “With these 8 ingredients, Uganda is unstoppable. With these eight, talk of aid is laughable. We do not need aid” (Museveni, 09.10.2023).

These are the words of a donor darling in the 1990s and that’s years ago. It is compelling however to see and understand this sentiment. That’s because the aid and the grants are coming with strings attached. Those strings are blocking, stopping or interfering in the actions of the President. A President that doesn’t want to be accountable or transparent. Therefore, it is easier to stop aid or getting grants, than answering to the ones giving and following the guidelines for getting it. That’s easy to assess and understand.

It will be a long time before Uganda doesn’t need aid. Especially, after all the years of deficit financing and the lack of fiscal responsibility. The state needs fiscal stimulus and it isn’t grower a bigger tax-base or GDP to ever compete with the rising expenses. Meaning someone has to cover the shortfall. In the short term that is either loans or aid. That’s up to the President to decide, but overtaxing people won’t be golden bullet either. Just so that is said… and that will only hurt the economy even further, as the spending power is weakened by that and it will stop money from circulating in the economy.

So, the last laugh is for everyone else and not Mzee. Peace.